What Is a Master’s in Management?
For aspiring business managers, especially early-career professionals looking to gain valuable leadership skills, a Master of Science in Management (MiM) is a great option for skill development. These degrees allow professionals from all industries and experience levels to strengthen their management and leadership knowledge and competency. MiM degrees are designed for individuals with little to no professional experience — one of the key differences between an MiM and an MBA. An MS in Management is designed to support rapid career growth by providing the most essential knowledge for aspiring business managers and leaders. Master’s in management graduates can pursue a variety of careers that require knowledge in:
- Core business principles
- Management and leadership
- Business analytics
- Strategic thinking
- Communication
Master’s in Management Careers
Earning a master’s in management opens the door to a variety of opportunities, with roles and salaries influenced by factors such as location and experience, there are a range of roles that graduates can pursue.
Master’s In Management Jobs and Salaries
| Job Title | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| HR Manager | $136,350 |
| Project Manager | $98,580 |
| Management Analyst | $99,410 |
| Marketing Manager | $156,580 |
| General and Operations Manager | $101,280 |
| Financial Manager | $129,890 |
| Operations Research Analyst | $83,640 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
HR Manager
Median Annual Salary: $136,350 (per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) HR managers lead HR teams, holding an important role in organizations in all industries and of all sizes. While their specific tasks will vary based on organizations, they are often tasked with:
- Overseeing HR teams
- Establishing internal HR policy
- Ensuring HR task completion
- Delegating tasks
- Conducting training
Project Manager
Median Annual Salary: $98,580 (per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) Project managers are leadership professionals who ensure that projects are carried out effectively. They can work in a range of industries, including tech, manufacturing, business and more. Some responsibilities include training team members and providing them with the resources they need to succeed. Project managers are also crucial to ensuring that team-level operations are aligned with both organizational and project-specific goals.
Management Analyst
Median Annual Salary: $99,410 (per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) Management analysts and management consultants help organizations find opportunities to improve on an organizational or operational level. They can support organizations in a range of industries, assisting them as they seek to operate more effectively or efficiently. On a task level, management consultants typically communicate with individuals and teams to identify relevant problems, analyze data points (typically ones that are related to key performance indicators) and develop solutions to improve an organization’s growth potential and value proposition.
Marketing Manager
Median Annual Salary: $156,580 (per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) Marketing managers are responsible for projects and high-level strategies related to an organization’s marketing. Depending on the organization, marketing managers may also supervise a team of junior- and senior-level marketers. Typically, marketing managers will:
- Develop, execute and oversee marketing strategies
- Analyze market trends
- Create targeted campaigns
- Manage budgets
- Collaborate with other teams to achieve business objectives
General and Operations Manager
Median Annual Salary: Salary $101,280 (per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) General and operations managers are responsible for helping to ensure that organizations are able to operate efficiently. These managers have expansive roles that vary by organization, but each of these professionals will be responsible for:
- Delegating tasks
- Developing internal strategies
- Ensuring efficient operations
- Supporting team/department KPIs and other goals
- Providing teams with resources and training
Financial Manager
Median Annual Salary: $129,890 (per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) Financial managers serve an important role in finance teams across a wide variety of fields and organizations. Their responsibilities typically include financial management within the organization, which can include everything from accounting and budgeting to banking and investing. Financial managers may also support the development and implementation of long-term financial strategies for the health of the organization.
Operations Research Analyst
Median Annual Salary: $83,640 (per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) Operations research analysts play an important role across organizations looking to optimize operations. Their work can help support the efficiency, effectiveness and even long-term viability of an organization. By leveraging data analysis and analytics, operations research analysts derive important insights to support business development and process improvement.
Business and Management Sector Outlook
Management occupations are important across every industry and field, with managers serving critical roles. You can find managers supporting the work of every department in every organization: from human resources management to leveraging data that can inform future strategies and operational optimization. As such, there are a number of opportunities available to professionals who seek management positions. Considering that managers are needed in every industry, the outlook for management professionals is generally positive and follows predictions about individual industry growth. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the business and finance sectors can expect strong growth, with just under 1 million job openings expected each year from 2023 to 2033. Several management occupations are also projected to grow in the coming years, some more than the average. For example, project management specialist roles are expected to grow 7% between 2023 and 2033, and marketing manager occupations are expected to grow by 8% in the same time frame.
How a Master’s in Management Helps Prepare Professionals
A master’s in management program is highly effective for individuals who need critical business knowledge, core professional skills and management competencies that are relevant cross-functionally and across a range of industries. Often, MiM curriculums include concepts such as finance, accounting, business strategy, business ethics and more, allowing early career professionals to jumpstart their careers with the most important skills that they need to make meaningful organizational change. In programs like the George Washington University School of Business’s MS in Management, students gain all these knowledge, skills and competencies. With three embedded certificate options and over 200 electives, students can also customize their degree to gain all of the industry-specific skills they need to achieve their goals. Graduates of GW’s MiM can be confident that their organizations — and their careers — will benefit from skills and knowledge in:
- Business foundations
- Business analytics
- Leadership excellence
- Strategic communication
- Strategic problem-solving
- Global business perspectives
Prepare to Lead With GW’s MS in Management
Advance your career with the GW School of Business’s online Master of Science in Management. Our expert-led blend of live discussion, real-world case studies and multimedia learning will help you develop the strategic thinking skills and global perspective needed for leadership. The MS in Management curriculum will also cover cutting-edge data tools and valuable strategy concepts. We believe in supporting our students through their academic journeys: every student accepted into our summer and fall 2025 online graduate programs will receive an automatic tuition scholarship.
Learn more by requesting a brochure, or start your application today!
In addition to its online offerings, the GW School of Business also provides an in-person Master of Science in Management program. Since 1928, GW School of Business students have leveraged our global presence to pursue practical, insightful expertise in the world of business from an enviable vantage point. One of the most diverse cities in the United States, D.C. is home to leading organizations in the healthcare, hospitality, media, government, defense and technology sectors. Our faculty are thought leaders and educators in these areas and more, and they’re ready to provide you with the business and management expertise you need to succeed.